Tōfu-kozō (豆腐小僧)

Name Meaning

Overview

Tōfu-kozō (豆腐小僧) means "Tofu Boy" or "Little Tofu Child," referencing the tray of tofu the yokai carries.

• Tōfu (豆腐) = Tofu
• Kozō (小僧) = Young boy or child servant

Origin

• Originates from Edo-period artwork and stories.
• Frequently appears in haunted house tales or alongside more powerful yokai.
• May have been used to scare children into obedience.

Appearance

• Depicted as a small, bald-headed child in traditional clothing.
• Always carries a tray with tofu, sometimes with mold growing on it.
• Usually harmless in demeanor.

Behavior & Myths

• Stands silently offering tofu to passersby.
• Often considered a minor yokai used for comedic or eerie effect.
• Some stories say accepting his tofu brings illness.

Symbolism

• Represents innocence with a subtle undertone of unease.
• Embodies how mundane objects can become eerie in the right context.
• Sometimes linked to other yokai like nurarihyon or umbrella spirits.